Northern Adventure
Vientiane- Vang Vieng -Luang Prabang
Luang Namtha-Houey Xai
11 days / 10 nights
Travel north from Vientiane to discover mountains, rivers and the former royal capital city, Luang Prabang. Further northwest, Luang Namtha is a lushly forested and mountainous province. It is home to the huge Nam Ha National Biodiversity and Conservation Area (NBCA) and retains the most diverse mix of ethnic groups in Laos. Wildside is working closely with UNESCO to develop sustainable eco-tourism inside and around the NBCA protected area. Finish in Houey Xai for optional border crossing to Thailand
Day 1: Vientiane
Arrive in Vientiane at our hotel any time during the day. There are no
activities planned only the complimentary evening meal.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Lao Plaza Hotel
Transport: None
Day 2: Vientiane / Vang Vieng
We drive north and into the central highlands. From here we head off the
beaten track by kayak through a lushly forested protected area and make our
way to the sleepy town of Vang Vieng.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Riverside Bungalows
Transport: Private vehicle, kayak
Day 3: Vang Vieng
The day is spent exploring the highlights of this scenic area by boat and on
foot. We kayak past the base of karst Limestone Mountains
containing a labyrinth of cave networks to explore. Trekking through a cave
under a mountain, we emerge to views over the far valley. After a riverside
barbeque lunch we kayak down to a working organic farm. The day draws to an
end as we paddle slowly back to our riverside bungalows in time to catch the
sunset over the mountains and a cold Lao beer.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Riverside Bungalows
Transport: Foot, kayak, Tuk Tuk
Day 4: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang.
Leaving the misty mountains of Vang Vieng behind, we continue our adventures
northbound to the former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. The drive
past stunning mountain ranges is a treat, and by late afternoon we are
relaxing at our luxury hotel.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Phou Si Hotel (or similar)
Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle
Day 5: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful temples,
French colonial buildings and the warm smiles of the northern Lao people. We
spend the morning visiting the Royal Palace
and gilded temples. Our afternoon trip out into Luang Prabang province, to
Kuang Si waterfalls, gives a chance to take a refreshing dip in its many
natural pools.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Phou Si Hotel (or similar)
Transport: Private transport, foot
Day 6: Luang Prabang
A free day, offering time for independent exploration of this wonderful
historic city and the scenic province.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Phou Si Hotel (or similar)
Transport: none
Day 7: Luang Prabang/ Luang Namtha
We drive north to Luang Namtha. The 8-hour drive takes us past dramatic
ranges of mountain peaks, with several village stops en route. Our charming
accommodation at the Boat Landing Eco Lodge is set on the banks of the
beautiful Nam Tha
River. The perfect place to be introduced to the local cuisine, we do so in
style with a delicious Lao banquet.
Meals: B, D
Accommodation: The Boat Landing Eco Lodge
Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle
Days 8, 9, 10: Nam Ha Rafting and
Trekking Safari**
Leaving our extra baggage behind, we prepare for one of the highlights of
the trip into the pristine environments of the Nam Ha National Biodiversity
Conservation Area. The river expedition is a safe and exciting way of
experiencing this mature forest. The locally trained UNESCO rafting guides
will offer you an insight into this environment and the ethnic minorities
who live here.
For more details of the Safari, see the attached Program.
Day 11: Luang Namtha/ Houey Xai
An early morning departure takes us west through the lush rural scenery that
typifies Northern Laos. Lunch is taken at a scenic spot of limestone and
caves, and then travel continues to Houey Xai. Guests are escorted to the
Lao/Thai border crossing point for onward travel.
Meals: L
Accommodation: None
Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle.
Nam Ha Trekking/Rafting Safari Program*
Day 8, 9 and 10
Day
8: The Boat Landing/ Ban Nalan
We transfer from The Boat Landing Eco Lodge to the Nam Ha NBCA, a 1hr 20
minutes drive. We begin our adventure deep inside the protected area on the
banks of the Nam Ha River, then descend by raft or kayak over various small
but exciting rapids into magnificent sections of old growth forest. A
riverside picnic lunch and relaxing swim are always received well by
mid-day, before we continue downstream encountering many bird species as we
go. The forests are still home to endangered large mammals such as Tiger,
Leopard and Sun Bear. Their tracks may be seen as we descend further into
the protected area. The night is spent in the Khammu village of Ban Nalan
where we learn about these fascinating people and their unique way of life.
Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Transport: Raft/kayak, foot, private transport.
Day
9: Ban Nalan / Ban Nam Khoy
After a wholesome breakfast prepared by our hosts, we trek out into the
protected area with our guides and a local hunter. Pagan Nomads’ Laos
partner employs local hunters to guide people through the forest and
introduce them to the ecosystems rather than hunt the endangered animals
inside the NBCA. The hunters possess a comprehensive knowledge of the
surrounding forest and its inhabitants and this knowledge is conveyed to our
guests via our guide as the day passes by. We enjoy a forest lunch prepared
by our guides as we sit and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the
forest. The night is spent in the village of Ban Nam Khoy, home of Lanten
people who strongly maintain their traditional culture. The impressive
indigo colored clothing worn by the villagers is made entirely from locally
produced products. Time-honored techniques are part of daily life in this
peaceful village, and artifacts produced by local people often reflect a
lifestyle spent surrounded by wilderness.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Transport: Foot
Day 10: Ban Nam Khoy – The Boat
Landing
We return to the Nam Ha River
making our way through increasingly swift rapids and dense old growth forest
until we reach the confluence of the Nam Ha and Nam Tha Rivers. We paddle
on down the Nam Tha and return to Luang Namtha in the late afternoon.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: The Boat Landing Eco Lodge
Transport: Raft/kayak, foot, private transport.
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